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 per 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 executed anyone job and I noticed 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 comprehend what one misses. So, I’m checking in to let you recognize 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 significantly wish to take full months off once more both. Thanks on your endurance as I–as soon as once more–work out what I wish to do with my life. I like writing and I like serving to folks with their cash and I’m very grateful that I get to just do 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 folks with their cash; much less speaking about moi-self. As longtime readers know, my writing on Frugalwoods started basically as a cash diary. A approach for me to grasp my very own emotions about my cash and the way I needed 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 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 deal with 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 strategy to the whole lot from making oatmeal to index fund investing. And it’s been enjoyable! And rewarding! However as my youngsters become older, I’m much less snug mining my life for content material and fewer snug sharing the nuances of their lives. I additionally suppose I’ve in all probability mentioned nearly the whole lot I’ve to say–if not right here on weblog, then in my ebook.
That being mentioned, I wish to proceed our Frugalwoods group and proceed serving as a useful resource for folks at each stage of the monetary journey. I envision that taking place in just a few methods going ahead:
- By means of a month-to-month Reader Case Research right here on the weblog, the place we’ll learn by means of a reader’s actual reside funds and supply compassionate, productive suggestions and recommendation. I even have a brand new search software for the Reader Case Research (of which there are 104) that allows you to seek for particular Case Research based mostly on age vary, revenue stage, retirement plan, marital standing, career, location and extra! I hope this may assist people discover Case Research that replicate their very own monetary conditions and questions.
- By means of the archives of this weblog. There are 737 printed posts on Frugalwoods along with my ebook, Meet the Frugalwoods. In the event you’re inquisitive about my ideas on any given matter, try the brand new classes on the weblog homepage. I did my finest to re-organize outdated posts into consolidated classes to assist with looking out. Hopefully that is extra simply navigable than my earlier 8,000 completely different classes :).
- By means of my one-on-one monetary consultations and monetary plans. In the event you’d like my assist together with your cash, you possibly can learn extra about what I supply and rent me right here. I’ll assist you perceive your whole monetary state of affairs, set clear objectives, and supply sensible options for managing your cash.
- By means of being interviewed on podcasts and the radio. I take pleasure in being on different folks’s podcasts and, when you’re a podcast listener, you possibly can sustain with the exhibits I’m on by way of this web page.
- By means 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 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 beneath to hitch 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 apply the artwork of adjusting my thoughts. I very effectively would possibly 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 once 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 completely satisfied usually 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 needed you all to concentrate on the place I’m at on this journey so 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 wish 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 achieve monetary independence. I additionally wish 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. In the event 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 possibly can 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 enhance your funds. There’ll be motivational mantras thrown in, however the major objective of the UFM is to provide you detailed, easy, easy-to-follow monetary motion gadgets. Woohoo!
Lots of people (me included!) take the UFM each single yr as a refresher course to assist get again on monitor or to substantiate that they’re nonetheless in nice monetary form. Different folks come to it as cash rookies and finish the month with new confidence about their funds. Nonetheless others are at knowledgeable stage and take the course as a strategy to join with the broader Frugalwoods group and supply 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 could be a beast you tame, perceive, and make be just right for you–not towards you. You possibly can both grasp your cash or it may well grasp you. Be part of me and take cost.
A couple of years in the past I launched a non-public Fb group for UFM members to share concepts, focus on challenges and be in group collectively, which suggests your subsequent query very effectively is perhaps…
Q: How do I be a part of the non-public Uber Frugal Month Fb group?
You’ll obtain a hyperlink to hitch after you sign-up for the UFM. In the event you’re already on this non-public Fb group–which 1000’s of you might be–don’t fear, you don’t must do something. Simply maintain being superior and supportive within the group!
Q: Do I would like to make use of Fb (or different social media) so as to take part?
Nope! The Problem is carried out completely by way of e mail and right here on Frugalwoods. The UFM Fb Group is an elective bonus. No must sign-up for Fb so as to take part within the UFM. All you must do is sign-up together with your e mail deal 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 which you can sign-up to re-take the Problem with the identical e mail deal with you used to take the Problem beforehand. You do, nonetheless, must sign-up once more so as to be a part of us beginning January 1st.
Actual Reside Folks Love The UFM!!!
Enjoyable as it’s to learn what I write (proper?!), it’s even MORE enjoyable to learn what different folks (actual, reside folks!) have mentioned about their participation within the Uber Frugal Month Problem. Fortunate for you, I’ve collected testimonials from previous Problem members 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 usually. It’s good for the pockets and the waistline since we’ve management over what we put in our meals. Our cash exhibits our priorities. Right now is my payday for January and with some sudden 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 nearly 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 suitable path, however self-discipline is required to maintain in examine. I believe 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 yr as a self check-up. Thanks a lot!” -Adam
“Thanks a lot on your every 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, however 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 ideas that you just gave. I’ve stored 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 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 stunning at first, however half-way by means of the month it turned 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 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 simple! 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 executed an UFM as a working mum or dad (my son is sort of 2), so I believe the acute lack of leisure time was useful 🙂 However I even have a greater understanding of why I’m considering frugality and the numerous methods it advantages me, my household, and the long run we would like. This month has been a very good 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 collection. It was an amazing re-set, re-directioning for me. I’ve had frugal durations of life however have gotten away from it. This collection was an amazing reminder, renewer, trainer for the way I wish to reside 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). Now we have saved a bit over $1,600 on our total spending. Now we have 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 the whole lot about frugality, however your articles gave me some new views about why frugality and lowered consumption is essential to me. ” -L.P.
“I managed to avoid wasting much more cash this time round, I believe doing this problem greater than as soon as helps to refocus on objectives.” -Ashley
“That is my second yr finishing the Uber frugal months with you and our group. I’m on my strategy to residing this as a way of life 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 fantastic 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 take pleasure in 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 simple it was to not purchase something however meals. I do have an extended strategy 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’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 more money in direction of my daughter’s scholar 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 objectives, what do I need on this life, being within the frugal problem has triggered this… I actually like your writing model and I’ve regarded ahead every day to see what’s subsequent on the problem and studying the related hyperlinks.” -Wayne
