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 accomplished anybody job and I spotted throughout this impromptu hiatus that I–gasp–MISSED writing and MISSED all of you. Generally one will need to have some absence to ensure that one to comprehend what one misses. So, I’m checking in to let you already know 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 persistence as I–as soon as once more–determine what I need 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 do exactly that.
My imaginative and prescient going ahead is to publish a brand new Reader Case Examine 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 kind 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 cause 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 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 thing from making oatmeal to index fund investing. And it’s been enjoyable! And rewarding! However as my youngsters become older, I’m much less comfy mining my life for content material and fewer comfy sharing the nuances of their lives. I additionally suppose I’ve in all probability stated nearly every thing I’ve to say–if not right here on weblog, then in my e book.
That being stated, I need to proceed our Frugalwoods group and proceed serving as a useful resource for folks at each stage of the monetary journey. I envision that occuring in a couple of methods going ahead:
- Via a month-to-month Reader Case Examine right here on the weblog, the place we’ll learn via a reader’s actual reside funds and supply compassionate, productive suggestions and recommendation. I even have a brand new search instrument for the Reader Case Research (of which there are 104) that lets you seek for particular Case Research based mostly on age vary, revenue degree, retirement plan, marital standing, occupation, location and extra! I hope this may 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 e book, Meet the Frugalwoods. When 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 previous 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 along with your cash, you may learn extra about what I supply and rent me right here. I’ll assist you to perceive your whole monetary scenario, set clear objectives, and supply sensible options for managing your cash.
- Via being interviewed on podcasts and the radio. I get pleasure from being on different folks’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 previous time. As you may additionally know, we take the UFM collectively each single January. This January might 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 typically follow the artwork of adjusting my thoughts. I very properly may 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 part of deep gratitude for what we’ve constructed and, in some ways, I’ve much less to put in writing about versus after we have 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 joyful typically doesn’t translate into attention-grabbing content material for readers. Life is lengthy and unpredictable, so I’ll 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 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 Folks-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 bunch each January.
From January 1-31, I’ll ship you an electronic mail a day with particular steps on find out how to enhance your funds. There’ll be motivational mantras thrown in, however the main function of the UFM is to provide you detailed, simple, 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 monitor or to verify that they’re nonetheless in nice monetary form. Different folks come to it as cash newbies 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 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 probably the most polarizing, stress-inducing, divorce-causing, fear-mongering issues: our cash. Cash doesn’t should be any of these issues. Cash generally is a beast you tame, perceive, and make be just right for you–not in opposition to you. You may both grasp your cash or it may grasp you. Be part of me and take cost.
A number of years in the past I launched a non-public Fb group for UFM individuals to share concepts, talk about challenges and be in group collectively, which suggests your subsequent query very properly is perhaps…
Q: How do I be part of the non-public Uber Frugal Month Fb group?
You’ll obtain a hyperlink to hitch after you sign-up for the UFM. When you’re already on this non-public Fb group–which 1000’s of you’re–don’t fear, you don’t have to do something. Simply maintain being superior and supportive within the group!
Q: Do I want to make use of Fb (or different social media) with the intention to take part?
Nope! The Problem is carried out completely by way of electronic mail and right here on Frugalwoods. The UFM Fb Group is an optionally available bonus. No have to sign-up for Fb with the intention to take part within the UFM. All you must do is sign-up along with your electronic mail handle 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 could sign-up to re-take the Problem with the identical electronic mail handle you used to take the Problem beforehand. You do, nonetheless, have to sign-up once more with the intention to be 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 folks (actual, reside folks!) 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 here are however a couple of 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 house and never consuming out typically. It’s good for the pockets and the waistline since we have now management over what we put in our meals. Our cash exhibits our priorities. At the moment 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 needed to answer nearly each single morning with stable reaffirmation of your frugal tenets. It’s nice to see such a complete information via the frugal mindset. It bolstered that I’m on the best path, however self-discipline is required to maintain in test. I believe anybody who hasn’t adopted it won’t 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 day by day emails and encouragement. It helped me to remain centered, 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’d of spent my cash on, but it surely was releasing 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 recommendations that you just gave. I’ve stored 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 surprising at first, however half-way via 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 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 attempting it?- and none of these went properly. I began out sturdy however fizzled out, falling again into previous spending habits. That is the primary time I’ve accomplished an UFM as a working mother or father (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 keen on 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 incredible re-set, re-directioning for me. I’ve had frugal durations of life however have gotten away from it. This collection was an incredible reminder, renewer, instructor for a way I need to reside 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 now have saved a bit over $1,600 on our total spending. We now have additionally reduce our meals spending by $975. Your weblog and this problem has actually began us on the values spending journey.” -Samantha
“I believed I knew every thing 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 technique to dwelling 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 somewhat 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 stunned 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 stunned me how simple it was to not purchase something however meals. I do have an extended technique 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 group you may 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 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 objectives, what do I would like on this life, being within the frugal problem has triggered this… I actually like your writing type and I’ve regarded ahead every day to see what’s subsequent on the problem and studying the related hyperlinks.” -Wayne