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 constantly posting for 9.5 years. That’s the longest I’ve ever executed anyone 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 understand that I haven’t died or deserted Frugalwoods, however that I’m attempting 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 notably wish to take full months off once more both. Thanks to 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 folks 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 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 primarily as a cash diary. A method for me to know my very own emotions about my cash and the way I needed to create a distinct form 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 purpose for my supposed new give attention to 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 loads 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 children 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 in all probability stated nearly every little thing I’ve to say–if not right here on weblog, then in my guide.
That being stated, I wish 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:
- By a month-to-month Reader Case Examine right here on the weblog, the place we’ll learn by way of a reader’s actual stay funds and provide 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.
- By the archives of this weblog. There are 737 printed posts on Frugalwoods along with my guide, Meet the Frugalwoods. For those who’re inquisitive about my ideas on any given subject, take a look at the brand new classes on the weblog homepage. I did my finest to re-organize outdated posts into consolidated classes to assist with looking. Hopefully that is extra simply navigable than my earlier 8,000 totally different classes :).
- By my one-on-one monetary consultations and monetary plans. For those who’d like my assist along with your cash, you possibly can learn extra about what I provide 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 being interviewed on podcasts and the radio. I get pleasure from being on different folks’s podcasts and, in case you’re a podcast listener, you possibly can sustain with the reveals I’m on through this web page.
- By 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 outdated time. As you might also 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 affix 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 usually observe the artwork of adjusting my thoughts. I very properly would possibly come throughout a brand new problem or discovery about myself sooner or later that’ll warrant new posts (or one other guide) 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 write down about versus once 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 glad 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 needed you all to pay attention to 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 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. For those who 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 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 e mail a day with particular steps on methods to enhance your funds. There’ll be motivational mantras thrown in, however the main function of the UFM is to offer you detailed, easy, easy-to-follow monetary motion objects. Woohoo!
Lots of people (me included!) take the UFM each single 12 months as a refresher course to assist get again on observe or to substantiate that they’re nonetheless in nice monetary form. Different folks come to it as cash newcomers 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 group and provide 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 some of the polarizing, stress-inducing, divorce-causing, fear-mongering issues: our cash. Cash doesn’t need to be any of these issues. Cash is usually a beast you tame, perceive, and make give you the results you want–not in opposition to you. You may both grasp your cash or it will probably grasp you. Be a part of me and take cost.
A number of years in the past I launched a personal Fb group for UFM members to share concepts, talk about challenges and be in group collectively, which implies 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 affix after you sign-up for the UFM. For those who’re already on this non-public Fb group–which hundreds of you might be–don’t fear, you don’t must do something. Simply preserve being superior and supportive within the group!
Q: Do I want to make use of Fb (or different social media) in an effort to take part?
Nope! The Problem is carried out fully through e mail and right here on Frugalwoods. The UFM Fb Group is an non-obligatory bonus. No must sign-up for Fb in an effort to take part within the UFM. All you must do is sign-up along with your e mail deal with 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 can 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 in an effort to be 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 folks (actual, stay folks!) have stated about their participation within the Uber Frugal Month Problem. Fortunate for you, I’ve collected testimonials from previous Problem members who’ve written heartfelt notes about how the UFM modified their funds and finally, their lives. Listed below are however a couple of chosen to your enjoyment and printed with permission.
“I’ve loved finishing this month with you. You’re completely proper in regards to the significance of cooking at house and never consuming out usually. It’s good for the pockets and the waistline since we have now management over what we put in our meals. Our cash reveals our priorities. At present 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 needed to answer virtually each single morning with stable reaffirmation of your frugal tenets. It’s nice to see such a complete information by way of the frugal mindset. It strengthened that I’m on the proper path, however self-discipline is required to maintain in verify. I feel 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 12 months as a self check-up. Thanks a lot!” -Adam
“Thanks a lot to your day by day emails and encouragement. It helped me to remain targeted, to be taught, and to implement new concepts and methods of considering.” -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 might of spent my cash on, however 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 options that you simply 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 occasions 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 way of the month it turned my mission. Now I see that what I might 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 realized a lot” -Mary
“This UFM was surprisingly straightforward! It’s additionally my…third or fourth time attempting it?- and none of these went properly. I began out robust however fizzled out, falling again into outdated spending habits. That is the primary time I’ve executed an UFM as a working guardian (my son is nearly 2), so I feel the acute lack of leisure time was useful 🙂 However I even have a greater understanding of why I’m involved in frugality and the numerous methods it advantages me, my household, and the longer term we wish. This month has been an excellent 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 an amazing re-set, re-directioning for me. I’ve had frugal intervals of life however have gotten away from it. This collection was an amazing reminder, renewer, trainer for a way I wish to stay shifting 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 lower 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 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 save lots of much more cash this time round, I feel doing this problem greater than as soon as helps to refocus on objectives.” -Ashley
“That is my second 12 months finishing the Uber frugal months with you and our group. 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 a little bit 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 get pleasure from at low cost or without spending a dime! 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 an extended approach 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 group you might 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 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 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 seemed ahead every day to see what’s subsequent on the problem and studying the related hyperlinks.” -Wayne
