Journey Of The Anti-thrift!
Hey there! My name is Kadi and I am joining the ranks of the Simply Thrifty crew! My family scoffed at me when I told them about my new position on this blog. “Thrifty? You, Kadi?” (followed by thunderous laughter.) Okay, so I haven’t exactly been a spend thrift person all my life. In fact calling me “thrifty’ would be the equivalent of calling Michael Jackson an advocate of Child Protective Services. My spending habits have always been a bit on the frivolous side. My daddy always told me that I’d better marry rich. So what did I do? I married a middle class, blue collar worker and popped out seven babies. It is far cry from the lifestyle that would allow me to live the life of a shopaholic.
Here I am, staring down the business end of my twenties and trying to raise a family of nine on one income. The time to start learning to be thrifty, is now. Gas prices are up, grocery prices are up, my kids desires for non-hand-me-down clothing is increasing. I’m starting to panic as we quickly approach the age when we worry about retirement planning, college funds and every other financially themed, wrinkle inducing milestone. Affording the day to day expenses of raising seven kids, is hard enough without adding the big ticket items that every American family has to inevitably face. Becoming thrifty is not just a novel idea, it is the only way that we are going to be able to survive on one income. Today is the day that I start my metamorphosis. I will attempt to transform myself from a financially ignorant caterpillar, into a money savvy butterfly who glides effortlessly on the winds of change. Hopefully I don’t get stuck in my cocoon!
Please join me on the journey. I promise that you will not be disappointed! Together, we will explore ways to become more thrifty, find the best deals and get more bang for our buck. Since, I’m sure that many of the current readers are already hip to the game, maybe you can offer me some guidance along the way. You know, keep me on track and scold me when I have a slip up! Everyone needs support system and apparently, my family does not believe that I can do this. That became very clear when my husband hugged me and said, “You can do it, honey!” as he reached around and plucked the credit card from my back pocket. I have a feeling that this will be an interesting metamorphosis, indeed!
LOL! We thrift-types (cheap skates) welcome converts!
I thought you were at the business end of your TWENTIES? You aren’t ready to be at the end of your thirties yet are you??
Good luck on your journey! I’m compulsively thrify coupled with being an impulse shopper. Not good.
Here’s some motivation…
You better learn now cause you’ve got less than 10 years until cars, insurance(YIKES), proms, sports all start happening one after the other and one top of each other. Scary stuff.
Thanks, Tiffany! I fixed it. Whew! What was I thinking?
I am so there with you! I love to shop, but with kids, a husband and an insatiable appetite for Pampered Chef products, something has to give. My husband says I have to keep both boys(the little one could fetch quite a price!), so I have to curb my spending. I’m eagerly awaiting the next post!
If you can have 7 kids, you can do anything!
I have to admit I chuckled inside when I saw your name. Good luck to you!
Welcome to the family… both b5 and thrifty living. We will quickly get to be friends, I am sure.
Good luck with your journey! You’ll get lots of support here, I’m sure, as there is an amazing frugal community on the web. Plus blogging keeps you accountable.
You’ll do great, I can tell!
Greetings from Manitoba, Canada !
My first share. Raised 3 sons alone, re married a minister & have found thrift a challenging habit, yet by 57, I can say I am an expert.
A new word has been developed for us…
” Trashion.”
I check ” Stumble Upon” for “re-claim, re-store, re-use, recycle & shabby chic.”
“Real Simple ” magazine has a “new uses for old things? section I like.
I only go to garage sales in the most rich areas.
Thrift stores – try to find ones run by Jr. League, Ballet, Opera, Art, Museum volunteers.
“Tremclad paint, high gloss, 2 coats, in “rereational white ( cream ) is the base I use for all furniture, so, everything matches. I paint trim/ glue flowers/ attach pretty ribbons, etc. Then, I look for old tea towels, servettes, tablecloths to make lined shelves, cushion, curtains.
Now, I am learning how to make soap out of saved slivers…
It is fun.
Do you want photos ?
Shalom !
Col