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 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 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 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 persistence 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 individuals with their cash and I’m very grateful that I get to just do that.
My imaginative and prescient going ahead is to put up 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 primarily 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 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 concentrate on 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 bored with writing about myself. I’ve spilled lots of digital ink delving into my very own funds, my monetary psyche, and my method 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 comfy mining my life for content material and fewer comfy sharing the nuances of their lives. I additionally assume I’ve most likely mentioned nearly the whole lot I’ve to say–if not right here on weblog, then in my e-book.
That being mentioned, I wish 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 couple of methods going ahead:
- By way of a month-to-month Reader Case Research right here on the weblog, the place we’ll learn via a reader’s actual stay 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 lets you seek for particular Case Research primarily based on age vary, earnings degree, retirement plan, marital standing, occupation, location and extra! I hope it will assist of us discover Case Research that replicate their very own monetary conditions and questions.
- By way of the archives of this weblog. There are 737 revealed posts on Frugalwoods along with my e-book, Meet the Frugalwoods. In case you’re interested in my ideas on any given subject, 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 completely 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 possibly can learn extra about what I supply and rent me right here. I’ll allow you to perceive your complete monetary scenario, set clear objectives, and supply sensible options for managing your cash.
- By way of being interviewed on podcasts and the radio. I take pleasure in being on different individuals’s podcasts and, when you’re a podcast listener, you possibly can sustain with the reveals I’m on through this web page.
- By way 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 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 under to hitch 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 usually observe the artwork of adjusting my thoughts. I very nicely 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 section of deep gratitude for what we’ve constructed and, in some ways, I’ve much less to put in writing about versus once we had 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 comfortable 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 wished you all to concentrate on the place I’m at on this journey to be able 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 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 succeed in monetary independence. I additionally wish to proceed the UFM as a result of I’ve heard from hundreds of oldsters that the Problem modified their monetary lives for the higher. In case 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 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 the right way to enhance your funds. There’ll be motivational mantras thrown in, however the major objective of the UFM is to offer 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 individuals come to it as cash rookies and finish the month with new confidence about their funds. Nonetheless others are at skilled degree and take the course as a option 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 some of the 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 in opposition to you. You possibly can both grasp your cash or it could grasp you. Be part of me and take cost.
Just a few years in the past I launched a non-public Fb group for UFM contributors to share concepts, focus on challenges and be in neighborhood collectively, which implies your subsequent query very nicely is likely to be…
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 case you’re already on this non-public Fb group–which hundreds 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) with a view to take part?
Nope! The Problem is carried out completely through e-mail and right here on Frugalwoods. The UFM Fb Group is an elective bonus. No must sign-up for Fb with a view to take part within the UFM. All it’s important to do is sign-up along with your e-mail tackle 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 you could sign-up to re-take the Problem with the identical e-mail tackle you used to take the Problem beforehand. You do, nevertheless, must sign-up once more with a view 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 individuals (actual, stay individuals!) have mentioned about their participation within the Uber Frugal Month Problem. Fortunate for you, I’ve collected testimonials from previous Problem contributors who’ve written heartfelt notes about how the UFM modified their funds and in the end, their lives. Listed here are however a couple of chosen on your enjoyment and revealed 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 reveals our priorities. In the present day 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 wished 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 strengthened 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 simply 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, nevertheless it was releasing 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 strategies that you simply 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 surprising at first, however half-way via the month it turned 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 forth. 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 nicely. 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 guardian (my son is sort of 2), so I believe the intense lack of leisure time was useful 🙂 However I even have a greater understanding of why I’m fascinated about frugality and the numerous methods it advantages me, my household, and the long run we would like. This month has been a superb 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 excellent re-set, re-directioning for me. I’ve had frugal intervals of life however have gotten away from it. This collection was an excellent reminder, renewer, trainer for the way I wish to stay 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’ve saved a bit over $1,600 on our general spending. We’ve additionally minimize our meals spending by $975. Your weblog and this problem has actually began us on the values spending journey.” -Samantha
“I believed I knew the whole lot 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 objectives.” -Ashley
“That is my second yr finishing the Uber frugal months with you and our neighborhood. I’m on my option to dwelling this as a life-style 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 slightly consideration.” -Vanessa
“This month was enlightening for me. It was primarily due to the great 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 stunned myself at discovering issues I take pleasure in 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 stunned me how straightforward it was to not purchase something however meals. I do have a protracted option to go on that entrance however I’m excited for the problem. I really feel this can be a life-style to work towards & that’s the reason I thanks. I completely love the Fb neighborhood you could 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 more money in the 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 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