I’m nonetheless right here! I took an unplanned (and subsequently unannounced) break from writing the weblog, which was meant to be for per week, however expanded to a month after which two months… WHOOPS. I confess I wanted a while off from ye olde Frugalwoods after constantly posting for 9.5 years. That’s the longest I’ve ever achieved anybody job and I spotted throughout this impromptu hiatus that I–gasp–MISSED writing and MISSED all of you. Typically one will need to have some absence to ensure that one to understand what one misses. So, I’m checking in to let you recognize that I haven’t died or deserted Frugalwoods, however that I’m attempting to discern how typically I’ll write going ahead. The times of thrice weekly posts are definitively over, however on the opposite excessive, I don’t significantly need to take full months off once more both. Thanks on 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 do exactly that.
My imaginative and prescient going ahead is to submit a brand new Reader Case Research 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 primarily as a cash diary. A approach for me to grasp my very own emotions about my cash and the way I wished to create a distinct form 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 of us 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 concentrate on Reader Case Research is the undeniable fact that…
I’m Drained Of Writing About Myself
What I discovered throughout this unplanned sabbatical is that, frankly, I’m uninterested in writing about myself. I’ve spilled a number of digital ink delving into my very own funds, my monetary psyche, and my method to all the pieces from making oatmeal to index fund investing. And it’s been enjoyable! And rewarding! However as my youngsters grow old, I’m much less snug mining my life for content material and fewer snug sharing the nuances of their lives. I additionally assume I’ve most likely stated nearly all the pieces I’ve to say–if not right here on weblog, then in my guide.
That being stated, 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 taking place in just a few methods going ahead:
- Via a month-to-month Reader Case Research right here on the weblog, the place we’ll learn by way of a reader’s actual stay funds and provide compassionate, productive suggestions and recommendation. I even have a brand new search instrument for the Reader Case Research (of which there are 104) that allows you to seek for particular Case Research primarily based on age vary, earnings degree, retirement plan, marital standing, career, location and extra! I hope it will assist of us discover Case Research that mirror their very own monetary conditions and questions.
- Via the archives of this weblog. There are 737 printed posts on Frugalwoods along with my guide, Meet the Frugalwoods. When you’re interested by my ideas on any given subject, try the brand new classes on the weblog homepage. I did my greatest to re-organize outdated posts into consolidated classes to assist with looking out. Hopefully that is extra simply navigable than my earlier 8,000 totally different classes :).
- Via my one-on-one monetary consultations and monetary plans. When you’d like my assist together with your cash, you may learn extra about what I provide and rent me right here. I’ll allow you to perceive your whole monetary scenario, set clear targets, and supply sensible options for managing your cash.
- Via 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 may sustain with the exhibits I’m on by way of this web page.
- Via my free Uber Frugal Month Problem (UFM). As most of you already know, you may take the Uber Frugal Month by yourself at any outdated time. As you might also know, we take the UFM collectively each single January. This January will likely be our seventh annual UFM Group Problem. Signal-up within the field under to affix me!
Does This Imply You’ll By no means Write About Your Life Ever Once more?
Nope! I’ve discovered to “by no means say by no means” since I typically apply the artwork of fixing my thoughts. I very properly would possibly come throughout a brand new problem or discovery about myself sooner or later that’ll warrant new posts (or one other guide) 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 section of deep gratitude for what we’ve constructed and, in some ways, I’ve much less to jot down about versus once we have been within the striving-for-this-goal section. 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 pleased typically doesn’t translate into fascinating content material for readers. Life is lengthy and unpredictable, so I could but shock myself and return to full-time running a blog. Or not. Time will inform! However, I wished you all to pay attention to the place I’m at on this journey so as 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 practice 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 oldsters that the Problem modified their monetary lives for the higher. When you haven’t taken the UFM earlier than, try 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 gaggle each January.
From January 1-31, I’ll ship you an e-mail a day with particular steps on methods to enhance your funds. There’ll be motivational mantras thrown in, however the main goal of the UFM is to offer you detailed, simple, easy-to-follow monetary motion gadgets. Woohoo!
Lots of people (me included!) take the UFM each single 12 months as a refresher course to assist get again on observe or to substantiate that they’re nonetheless in nice monetary form. Different individuals come to it as cash freshmen and finish the month with new confidence about their funds. Nonetheless others are at knowledgeable degree and take the course as a technique 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 one of the polarizing, stress-inducing, divorce-causing, fear-mongering issues: our cash. Cash doesn’t need to be any of these issues. Cash generally is a beast you tame, perceive, and make give you the results you want–not towards you. You may both grasp your cash or it may grasp you. Be a part of me and take cost.
A couple of years in the past I launched a personal Fb group for UFM individuals to share concepts, focus on challenges and be in group collectively, which implies your subsequent query very properly may be…
Q: How do I be part of the non-public Uber Frugal Month Fb group?
You’ll obtain a hyperlink to affix after you sign-up for the UFM. When you’re already on this non-public Fb group–which 1000’s of you might be–don’t fear, you don’t have to do something. Simply preserve being superior and supportive within the group!
Q: Do I want to make use of Fb (or different social media) as a way to take part?
Nope! The Problem is performed completely by way of e-mail and right here on Frugalwoods. The UFM Fb Group is an non-obligatory bonus. No have to sign-up for Fb as a way to take part within the UFM. All it’s important to do is sign-up together with your e-mail tackle within the field under.
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 can sign-up to re-take the Problem with the identical e-mail tackle you used to take the Problem beforehand. You do, nevertheless, have to sign-up once more as a way to be 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, stay individuals!) have stated about their participation within the Uber Frugal Month Problem. Fortunate for you, I’ve collected testimonials from previous Problem individuals who’ve written heartfelt notes about how the UFM modified their funds and finally, their lives. Listed below are however just a few chosen on your enjoyment and printed with permission.
“I’ve loved finishing this month with you. You’re completely proper concerning the significance of cooking at residence and never consuming out typically. It’s good for the pockets and the waistline since we now have management over what we put in our meals. Our cash exhibits our priorities. As we speak 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 wished to answer virtually each single morning with stable reaffirmation of your frugal tenets. It’s nice to see such a complete information by way of the frugal mindset. It strengthened that I’m on the appropriate path, however self-discipline is required to maintain in verify. I believe anybody who hasn’t adopted it may not perceive the very actual happiness you report. They need to perceive that you simply 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 on your day by day emails and encouragement. It helped me to remain targeted, to study, and to implement new concepts and methods of pondering.” -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 might of spent my cash on, nevertheless it was releasing to not do 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 simply gave. I’ve stored some to return and skim them once more. It gave me goal to maintain proper on going” -Arthur
“What was clear from the beginning was what number of instances 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 surprising at first, however half-way by way of the month it grew to become my mission. Now I see that what I might have spent cash on was simply issues, not wanted issues, simply locations to go, time to waste, and so on. I saved some cash, however that cash will snowball if I proceed subsequent month, which I’ll! Thanks for this guided lesson, I discovered a lot” -Mary
“This UFM was surprisingly straightforward! It’s additionally my…third or fourth time attempting it?- and none of these went properly. I began out robust however fizzled out, falling again into outdated spending habits. That is the primary time I’ve achieved an UFM as a working dad or mum (my son is sort of 2), so I believe the intense lack of leisure time was useful 🙂 However I even have a greater understanding of why I’m involved in frugality and the numerous methods it advantages me, my household, and the long run we would like. This month has been an excellent reset. It hasn’t felt restrictive, it’s felt empowering.” -Meredith
“I’m very grateful on your writing and insights, particularly this month’s frugality mindset sequence. It was a fantastic re-set, re-directioning for me. I’ve had frugal durations of life however have gotten away from it. This sequence was a fantastic reminder, renewer, trainer for the way I need to stay transferring 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 total spending. We’ve additionally lower our meals spending by $975. Your weblog and this problem has actually began us on the values spending journey.” -Samantha
“I believed I knew all the pieces about frugality, however your articles gave me some new views about why frugality and lowered consumption is necessary to me. ” -L.P.
“I managed to save lots of much more cash this time round, I believe doing this problem greater than as soon as helps to refocus on targets.” -Ashley
“That is my second 12 months finishing the Uber frugal months with you and our group. I’m on my technique to dwelling 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 just a little 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 without cost! 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 a protracted technique to go on that entrance however I’m excited for the problem. I really feel this can be a way of life to work towards & that’s the reason I thanks. I completely love the Fb group you might have created additionally. Makes me really feel heat & fuzzy!” -Jamie
“My month was nice! I didn’t miss a lot and was ready to make use of my financial savings to snowball extra cash in the direction of my daughter’s pupil loans. Win-win! Thanks on 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 targets, what do I would like on this life, being within the frugal problem has triggered this… I actually like your writing fashion and I’ve regarded ahead every day to see what’s subsequent on the problem and studying the related hyperlinks.” -Wayne
