Vida. Risa. Amor.

I am actually having quite a boring afternoon, but I'm kind of glad since the past two weeks have been quite a whirlwind.  Our newest discovery was actually a first for us: zero dollars in the checking account.  Zero.

So, needless to say, this was a serious wake up call and forced us, (me), to re-evaluate exactly where our dollars have been going...and where they need to stop going.

As I look around the community I know we're not the only ones in a "pinch", and though some haven't been so fortunate, I am pretty sure we'll come out of this alright.  Two words I am most thankful for this season:  tax returns. Two words I am slowly becoming more worried about:  gas prices. 

Surprisingly, finding ways to cut back on our spending hasn't been a burden, it has actually had the reverse effect and helped me to feel more free.  Free from consumerism, debt & the worry of feeling that we will never really have enough stuff....cute Target stuff.  I might need to wear some of the same clothes for a while, but that's a small "sacrifice", (if we'd even call it that), compared to a worse situation that keeps coming through the mail named "bill".  And luckily my girls and I have found ways to raid each other's closets, I mean, share each other's wardrobes.  And tweezers.  And hair conditioner.

I am also always reminded that even the poorest American is probably ten times better off than someone in a 3rd world country right now.  Our home is not under water or taken away by a tornado or tsunami or earthquake and I have never been more thankful for the desert we live in right now...the earth seems to be "groaning" more and more for it's return of it's Creator.  We really have all we need and more: a roof over our head, clothing, our health, employment, and a stocked freezer and pantry that I finally get the chance to feed my family out of for the next few weeks.  And even then, I'm pretty sure we still won't run out of Cheerios or scalloped potatos.  Or cherry coke zero.

Saving money was something I thought I was good at, and times have taken a turn for me to kick those skills into a higher gear...my debit card is also having a stay-cation of it's own as well this month, which has re-inspired to think more creatively of ways to cut corners.  I've even sewed patches on Rylan's ripped jeans, (patches made from another pair of ripped jeans...and then that pair was turned into shorts).  Thriftalicious.  (And he's not even five so he doesn't care yet...and plus, he's a boy.)

Yes times are taking a new turn, and in this whirlwind of change I have been busy figuring out new ways to save. 
I have returned $100 worth of un-needed clothing back to stores, scrounged up items to include in a garage sale, bought less expensive hair products, gave haircuts at home, found free items by matching coupons to ad deals, found free new DVD's at the library, drank more H20, carpooled, and mostly, just quite simply,
stayed home.

Perhaps in less than a few months I will find myself taking an even different path:  employment.  My "stay-at-home" hours might soon need to be cut back, and so I have found myself treating those hours a little more preciously.  My kids aren't so little anymore either, so that will make things go a little easier as well.  I am more than ok with going back to work, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit I wasn't just a little nervous about it.