I’m nonetheless right here! I took an unplanned (and due to this fact unannounced) break from writing the weblog, which was supposed 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 completed anyone job and I noticed throughout this impromptu hiatus that I–gasp–MISSED writing and MISSED all of you. Typically one should have some absence to ensure that one to appreciate what one misses. So, I’m checking in to let you understand that I haven’t died or deserted Frugalwoods, however that I’m making an attempt 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 to your persistence as I–as soon as once more–work out 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 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 individuals with their cash; much less speaking about moi-self. As longtime readers know, my writing on Frugalwoods started basically as a cash diary. A manner for me to grasp my very own emotions about my cash and the way I wished to create a unique type 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 supposed new give attention to 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 quite a lot of digital ink delving into my very own funds, my monetary psyche, and my strategy to every little thing from making oatmeal to index fund investing. And it’s been enjoyable! And rewarding! However as my youngsters become 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 mentioned nearly every little thing I’ve to say–if not right here on weblog, then in my e-book.
That being mentioned, I need to proceed our Frugalwoods neighborhood and proceed serving as a useful resource for individuals at each stage of the monetary journey. I envision that taking place in a number of methods going ahead:
- By way of a month-to-month Reader Case Research right here on the weblog, the place we’ll learn by a reader’s actual dwell funds and supply compassionate, productive suggestions and recommendation. I even have a brand new search device for the Reader Case Research (of which there are 104) that lets you seek for particular Case Research primarily based on age vary, revenue degree, retirement plan, marital standing, occupation, location and extra! I hope it will assist people discover Case Research that mirror their very own monetary conditions and questions.
- By way of the archives of this weblog. There are 737 printed posts on Frugalwoods along with my e-book, Meet the Frugalwoods. In case you’re interested in my ideas on any given matter, take a look at the brand new classes on the weblog homepage. I did my greatest to re-organize previous posts into consolidated classes to assist with looking. Hopefully that is extra simply navigable than my earlier 8,000 totally different classes :).
- By way of my one-on-one monetary consultations and monetary plans. In case you’d like my assist along with your cash, you may learn extra about what I supply and rent me right here. I’ll provide help to perceive your complete monetary scenario, set clear targets, and supply sensible options for managing your cash.
- By way of being interviewed on podcasts and the radio. I get pleasure from being on different individuals’s podcasts and, in the event you’re a podcast listener, you may sustain with the reveals I’m on by way of this web page.
- By way of my free Uber Frugal Month Problem (UFM). As most of you already know, you may take the Uber Frugal Month by yourself at any previous time. As you may additionally know, we take the UFM collectively each single January. This January will probably 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 follow the artwork of fixing 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 e-book) 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 write down about versus after 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 joyful 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 concentrate on the place I’m at on this journey in an effort 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 parents that the Problem modified their monetary lives for the higher. In case you haven’t taken the UFM earlier than, take a look at 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’ll be able to 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 how one can enhance your funds. There’ll be motivational mantras thrown in, however the major function of the UFM is to provide you detailed, easy, easy-to-follow monetary motion objects. Woohoo!
Lots of people (me included!) take the UFM each single yr 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 learners and finish the month with new confidence about their funds. Nonetheless others are at professional degree and take the course as a approach to join with the broader Frugalwoods neighborhood and supply encouragement and recommendation to newer neighborhood 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 vital polarizing, stress-inducing, divorce-causing, fear-mongering issues: our cash. Cash doesn’t must be any of these issues. Cash is usually a beast you tame, perceive, and make be just right for you–not towards you. You’ll be able to both grasp your cash or it may 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 individuals to share concepts, talk about challenges and be in neighborhood collectively, which implies your subsequent query very effectively is perhaps…
Q: How do I be a part of the personal Uber Frugal Month Fb group?
You’ll obtain a hyperlink to affix after you sign-up for the UFM. In case you’re already on this personal Fb group–which 1000’s of you’re–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) to be able to take part?
Nope! The Problem is carried out solely by way of e mail and right here on Frugalwoods. The UFM Fb Group is an optionally available bonus. No must sign-up for Fb to be able to take part within the UFM. All it’s important to do is sign-up along with your e mail deal with 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 that you may sign-up to re-take the Problem with the identical e mail deal with you used to take the Problem beforehand. You do, nevertheless, must sign-up once more to be able to be a part of us beginning January 1st.
Actual Dwell 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, dwell individuals!) have mentioned 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 in the end, their lives. Listed below are however a number of chosen to 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’ve got management over what we put in our meals. Our cash reveals our priorities. At present 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 the frugal mindset. It strengthened that I’m on the suitable path, however self-discipline is required to maintain in test. 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 to your every day emails and encouragement. It helped me to remain centered, to be taught, 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’d of spent my cash on, but it surely was liberating 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 solutions that you just gave. I’ve saved some to return and skim them once more. It gave me function 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 the month it grew to become my mission. Now I see that what I’d 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 making an attempt it?- and none of these went effectively. I began out sturdy however fizzled out, falling again into previous spending habits. That is the primary time I’ve completed an UFM as a working mum or dad (my son is nearly 2), so I believe the intense lack of leisure time was useful 🙂 However I even have a greater understanding of why I’m enthusiastic about frugality and the various methods it advantages me, my household, and the longer term we would like. This month has been a superb reset. It hasn’t felt restrictive, it’s felt empowering.” -Meredith
“I’m very grateful to your writing and insights, particularly this month’s frugality mindset collection. It was a fantastic re-set, re-directioning for me. I’ve had frugal durations of life however have gotten away from it. This collection was a fantastic reminder, renewer, trainer for the way I need to dwell 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). Now we have saved a bit over $1,600 on our total spending. Now we have additionally minimize our meals spending by $975. Your weblog and this problem has actually began us on the values spending journey.” -Samantha
“I assumed I knew every little thing about frugality, however your articles gave me some new views about why frugality and lowered consumption is vital 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 targets.” -Ashley
“That is my second yr finishing the Uber frugal months with you and our neighborhood. I’m on my approach to residing this as a way of life not simply months.” -Maxine
“I simply completed the Uber Frugal Month (once more!) and it’s at all times 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 slightly 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 facility of in-sourcing in my very own life. I’ve additionally shocked myself at discovering issues I get pleasure from at low cost or at no 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 approach to go on that entrance however I’m excited for the problem. I really feel it is a life-style to work towards & that’s the reason I thanks. I completely love the Fb neighborhood you’ve 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 more money in the direction of my daughter’s scholar loans. Win-win! Thanks to 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 need on this life, being within the frugal problem has triggered this… I actually like your writing model and I’ve appeared ahead every day to see what’s subsequent on the problem and studying the related hyperlinks.” -Wayne
